What Manner of Men

Mansour Hatefi ,

PGM, Grand Secretary

“…So from day to day and strength to strength, you shall build up an edifice of which it shall not be said: ‘See what manner of stones are here,’ but’ see what manner of men.” John Ruskin

At the end of yet another year, conscious of where we are, and with an eye towards where we are going, I am mindful of the many real and perceived problems facing our fraternity in the dawn of the 21st Century. We face a world with new values, new opportunities and new challenges, different from that which was faced by our founding fathers. But I strongly believe that there are no new problems under the sun; only new men dealing with old problems. As Masons we seem not to look to the past, to see what is right with the institution; what it is that has enabled the Craft to survive. Instead, looking at the present and seeing only what is wrong, we tend to change some of the fundamental precepts and tenets that keep us viable as men and Masons. I believe in change, but I also believe that the uniqueness of Masonry is our strength. We offer something to men that can't be found anywhere else. Let us then pause long enough to take a good look at Masonry, at our lodges, and at ourselves. Let us observe ourselves perhaps through the eyes of prospective

Grand Master’s Message

Lodge is fortunate, indeed, to have its Grand Lodge Office manned by such dedicated and knowledgeable Masons, men who respond faithfully to the many and diverse demands made upon them, men whose sole aim is to cheerfully provide professional service to one and all. Let me now close by stating how honored I have been by being permitted to serve you as the Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia. Being a Freemason in this great city is for me a source of pride and joy, an experience that I shall never, ever forget. Permit me members or a new candidate. What do they see? The purpose of Freemasonry is wide in scope and universal in appeal. For those whose interests are spiritual, there are never-ending opportunities for advancement; for the lonely, the fellowship of good friends and the happiness of social intercourse; for the ritualist, the beautiful ceremonies, the ancient landmarks, the symbolism of the regalia; and for all, with the rush and turmoil of the present world, there is the healing peace of the lodge. Our purpose is to provide a change from the daily atmosphere, a safe and sacred retreat for brethren tired of the hustle and bustle of modern living, an opportunity to spend a quiet evening in contemplation of the blessings and the needs of mankind.

I believe men want what Masonry offers. People today appear to be searching for direction, peace of mind. Masonry can play and important and necessary role for men. Masonry offers true friendship, solace in time of sorrow or need, a solid rock of morality. We have the responsibility of continuing to offer this to good men, in a way that will attract, enthuse, stimulate, challenge and encourage the uninitiated to our circles of friendship and brotherly love.

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The purpose of Masonry is the same as it has always then to close with words taken from a melody written by Thomas Moore, who said what I would like to say in these words:

Farewell! But whenever you welcome the hour Which awakens the night-song of mirth in your bow'r Then think of the friend who once welcom'd it too, And forgot his own grief to be happy with you. His griefs may return, not a hope may remain, Of the few that have brightened his pathway of pain, But he ne'er will forget his short vision that threw The enchantment around him, while ling'ring with you.

been. That is to take an individual, just one man at a time, mind you, and try to improve his quality of life. The entire philosophy of Freemasonry is built around the individual, the erection of a moral edifice within the heart of a man and it is aimed at making every individual wiser, better, and happier. Hence the future of Freemasonry depends on the influence it exerts on the lives of those within its realm.

Looking at Masonry candidly and thoughtfully, it seems to me that the greatest single need of our Craft today is a membership with better understanding of the principles and the purposes of our fraternity. The principles of Freemasonry include the highest moral law and will bear the test of any system of ethics or philosophy ever proclaimed for the improvement of man. But philosophy alone will not retain our members; we have to provide more. Our challenge then is to identify the needs of our members. It is not with Masonry; not with the ritual and ceremony, its teachings; not with usages and customs. Our challenge is personal; it lies within each of us as Masons. We shall gain nothing by tinkering with the institution and arbitrary changes to render it acceptable to the uncertain whims of the public. But we can profit by focusing attention on service to the Masonic family and the cultivation of our role therein.

Certainly we ought not resist change, for change is clearly inevitable. Indeed, the history of modern Masonry is replete with progressive changes that have enhanced the fortunes of the Craft. But in the institution of change care must be given to the preservation of established principles and purposes, those foundation stones on which our very being depends. So what should we do to assure the future of the Craft? I think that we should look first to our performance as Freemasons. Forget the chase for numbers. Instead give primary attention to providing an environment which will favor the fraternal cultivation of those who are already on the roles. Enhancement of our performance as Freemasons, I believe, will in due time cause membership trends to improve. It is the power of example that will make us grow as Freemasons and as a fraternity. Secondly, we need to assess how we select and train our leaders. While it is true that some may be born to lead, it is also true that we can and should provide training and resources for those who are already in positions of responsibility. The mantle of leadership weighs heavily on the shoulders of those who assume it and, in many cases, is assumed more as a concession to the lodge rather than from strong desire to take the helm and actively guide the craft to new levels of accomplishment. To this end it is essential that long range plans be developed to assure the proper preparation of our present and future leaders. Thirdly, we need to enhance our position in the community. To do so we must always put our best foot forward, for the public will judge Freemasonry by its impression of those who wear Masonic emblems or otherwise make known their Masonic affiliations. The Craft is being constantly judged by what it does and does not do!

Fourthly, we must recognize that the mission of Masonry is to learn and to teach. It is nothing else! On being made as Mason, a young man is not the same man that he was previously. If he is, we have done our work poorly or he should not have been there in the first place. It is possible that we have not required our members to learn more about the Craft, its ideals and purposes. Our ancient brethren knew well that membership carried with it responsibility. Maybe, in our attempt to make Masonic life easier, we are requiring too little. And when less is required, less is given. It would be a very simple matter for us to make it easier to be a Mason. It would even be a simple matter for us to make it cheaper to be a Mason. And along the way it would also be a very simple matter for us to make it meaningless to be a Mason. What seems to be missing today, my brethren, is commitment to the Craft, a firm belief in the principles and beliefs which the fraternity espouses, and the necessary determination to correct and redirect the course of our individual lodges. Brethren will only measure up to the marks we have set. When good men are summoned to the highest and best within them, they usually respond with the highest and best. What Freemasonry will offer future generations depends on us. Our past and ancient brethren have completed their labors and have passed their tools and materials to us that we may satisfy our social and achievement needs. Let us build today a structure for tomorrow, worthy of the trust they have placed in us. It is time for us to begin or renew our labors to carry this legacy forward, toward all the years and centuries yet to come. ■